EAST MOLINE, Ill. — Jesse Owen went over the scenarios in his head as he circled the oval and kept his eye on his dad.
As the pedal pushed his No. 95 continually opened an advantage and 30 laps later Owen became the seventh winner of the RT’s Fallen Heroes Street Stock Memorial at East Moline Speedway. The Sunday evening drive the day before his birthday was worth $2,144.01.
“It feels great. We were sitting around thinking about what to do with the car before the race,” Owen said. “We did a few things right before we went out. The car drove itself.”
Owen started on the pole thanks to his heat and Blum Family Dash win. He led every circuit and held off challenges from five different cars.
“Last year we ran second and there were a lot of good cars here. I kept looking at Dad (Red), he told me where to go and he’s usually right.”
The first 11 laps were under green and five cautions later Owen held off Lance Evans, Jeff Struck Jr., Joe Bonney and Rob Henry. The latter three all are previous winners of the event.
Bonney ran second early, but was involved in an incident with Tanner Sullivan on lap 12. After restarting at the rear, the Maquoketa, Iowa hotshoe charged back to the top five.
The record 38-car field from three states was whittled down to 24 starters by four heats and a pair of B Mains.
Work paid off for Donovan Lodge. The J&J Camper Sales IMCA Modified veteran zipped around the bottom groove en route to the 20-lap win. Brandon Durbin challenged on the high side, but settled for second. Jaden Fryer, Austin Blume and Brandt Cole followed.
Shane Paris got to the front early and paced the 15-lap Legacy Corporation IMCA SportMod finale. Track champ Jarett Franzen, David Engelkens, Logan Cumby and Cody Calam were next.
Cyle Hawkins edged by Aaron Hitt at the checkers to take the Riverbend Pizza Place Sport Compacts 12 lapper. Drew Wise, Austin Vorbeck and Thomas Adams rounded out the top five.
Andrew Hamburg took off at the green and led all 12 laps for the Nostalgic Stock Car Racing Club main.